Bossa Nova’s 50-Year Jubilee with Oscar Castro Neves In Boston

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For half a century, music lovers the world over have taken the words of Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Vou Te Contar, "- known as "Wave" in English- to heart, getting swept up in their love for Bossa Nova (translated new trend in English). Now, fifty years after the trio of Jobim, Joao Gilberto, and Vinicius de Moraes popularized this new trend, Berklee pays homage to the genre with performances by two highly acclaimed and greatly sought after artists from Brazil - Oscar Castro Neves and Cesar Camargo Mariano.

Neves comes to Boston after hosting, directing, arranging and performing in a star-studded tribute at the Hollywood Bowl in September for a 50 year celebration of Bossa Nova. Berklee's official commemoration began in May when the Queen of Bossa Nova Rosa Passos was awarded an honorary doctorate during this year's commencement ceremony. Anniversary festivities continue in October with the following concerts:

Berklee Celebrates 50 years of the Bossa Nova with Cesar Camargo Mariano takes place October 1 and 3 at 8:00 pm at Berklee's Café 939, 939 Boylston Street. Tickets are $10 and available at the Berklee Performance Center box office, through Ticketmaster at 617 931-2000, or at ticketmaster.com. Mariano performs on campus in an innovative combination of concert performances and jam sessions that showcase his skills alongside dynamic Berklee professors Jamey Haddad and Fernando Huergo, provide a rare opportunity for students to trade licks with a master and open a window into the artist's creative process for members of the audience.

La Casa de La Cultura /Center for Latino Arts, IBA and Berklee College of Music present Cesar C. Mariano in a full concert of his music on October 2, at the Jorge Hernandez Cultural Center, South End, Boston. Mariano is a pianist, arranger, composer, producer and one of Brazil's most celebrated musicians. His ensembles the Sambalanço Trio and Som Tres and his album Samambaia, one of his thirty-plus instrumental recordings, are regarded as high points in Brazilian jazz.

His collaborations with many of Brazil's most important singers, notably Wilson Simonal and Elis Regina, have brought him worldwide acclaim. The historic 1973 album Elis and Tom, made with Antonio Carlos Jobim, features him as arranger, pianist and musical director. Since then, Mariano has worked with an array of musical giants around the world, from YoYo Ma to Blossom Dearie, and has composed a wealth of soundtrack music for film and TV. He has also won numerous Sharp and Clio awards and eight Latin Grammys, including the 2007 Latin Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Considered one of the founding figures of one of Brazil's most popular musical movements, it's only fitting that Berklee Celebrates 50 years of the Bossa Nova with Oscar Castro Neves, as well, October 21, 8:15 pm, at the Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Avenue.

Neves is a renowned composer and arranger, known for his sophisticated harmonic concepts and the exquisite texture and color of his orchestrations. He is equally well known for his distinctive guitar style as he is for being an accomplished record producer. Neves has worked with dozens of major artists including Elis Regina, Flora Purim, Joe Henderson, Michael Jackson, Barbara Streisand, Stevie Wonder, Stan Getz, João Gilberto, Lee Ritenour, Airto Moreira, Edu Lobo, Toots Thielemans, Paul Winter, Diane Schuur, Herbie Hancock, Ella Fitzgerald, Lisa Ono and countless others in the jazz, popular, Brazilian and classical realms.

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